Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay at Newport hits squall over $10m makeover
An exclusive Sydney yacht club has sailed into a squall over its $10 million makeover bid. See the artist’s impressions.
Manly
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An exclusive Sydney yacht club is battling through a squall after a $10 million makeover bid was delayed by planning officials.
The Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay wants to alter and expand its clubhouse and facilities on the shores of Pittwater at Newport.
But it’s now in the doldrums after the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel temporarily halted a bid to add a two-storey extension to its existing buildings in Prince Alfred Pde.
In its development application (DA) the 98-year-old club wanted to spend $10.2m to make changes to its dining areas and around its swimming pool as well as provide a health or wellness service.
The two-storey extension on the western side of the existing building would “wrap around the swimming pool and outdoor recreation area”.
It would accommodate new dining facilities and a lounge/bar area as well as a roof top terrace.
The plan included relocating the existing ground floor cafe into the new extension. The old cafe and dining area would become the wellness centre.
On the existing first floor, amenities adjacent to the club’s lounge would be refurbished. A new connection would be provided to the new restaurant/dining area where there would be seating area for about 60 patrons.
A small outdoor seating area, with capacity for four tables, would be provided at the northern end of the building. The proposal does not seek to increase the existing patron capacity — 270 people.
The proposed opening hours would be from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.
Several submissions to the DA from the public were received about concerns for pedestrian safety around the site; noise impacts from patrons and; building aesthetics.
The club, which has about 3300 members, wanted to have the alterations and additions completed in time for its centenary celebrations in October 2026.
Northern Beaches Council, where the DA was originally lodged, recommended the planning panel approve the project.
In its assessment report, the council stated that “safety and noise concerns are adequately addressed through the recommended conditions of consent in relation to hours of operation, patron capacity, acoustic treatment and construction and operational management plans”.
“No matters raised in the submissions would justify the refusal of the application in the public interest,” the council report stated.
But the planning panel has deferred making a decision to allow the club to provide more information including a detailed breakdown of expected patron numbers and staff; a description of how the increased floor space was going to be used; an updated parking demand assessment and; a more detailed operational management plan.
“The Panel’s preliminary view is that a number of matters … need to be clarified or additional information provided to fully understand the environmental impacts of the proposed development,” the panel stated in its written decision.
Club management politely declined to comment on Monday, until the matter had been resolved.
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